Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-07-07

ting tonight, groaniF nnder the
weight of Cely's ereai feparatiOns
While old silver and astral china
that have lain away uamolested for
years are brought prouds forward to
celebrate the arrival Of fAe son of Sir
Hugh's old friend and eollege chum,
there is nothing that clains the atten-
tion of Mr.. Hamilton $ often as the
fair, childish face of bis hostess. while
she too finds leisure ssdscide upon
the merits of her guest. In the quiz
etness of her rural ho~slIks has seen
but few strangers 1laliy shs
conciddes that this new lace Is ce.-
tainly no ordinary one. Why even
Will seems quite thrown in the shade.
Then, as if in reproach TO the unwel-
come contrast. she turns to the frank
blue eyes of the one she is sighting.
DO pardon my incessant chatter,
May, he begs. 4 have hardly given
you time to say a word to Eric edge
ways
Save yourself the trouble of an
apology, Mr.. Mansfield. It is posi-,
lively delightful to have at hand a
gentleman endowed with such an in
exhaustible store of words then
in lower tone she adds-'you have
saved me much embarrassment, Will,
for my new position as hostess is not
altogether free from trials
When supper is thoroughly over,
they repair to the cool, homelike par
lor, where music and chess make glad
the remainder of Mr.. Hamilton's first
evening at 'Lindendale Manor
How swiftly time flies All too
soon for May Brooks, as she remem-
bers for the hundredth time in one
day that tomorrow will be the last
which Eric Hamilton will spend at
her bright country horae-the last at
least for months. But even regret is
silenced by the beauty of all around
her.
The hand of Fairy could not have
created lovelier picture than this,
exclaims the girl as she fastens her
gaze, first upon the still blue sea, then
upon the last fading rays Of Summer
sun. All nature seems bushed in
this evening s calmest, balmiest hour.
Stately trees sway to and fro, birds
glide lazily through the air, while fra
grant flowers raise their dropping
heads to drink in the refreshing dew.
Naught breaks the stiffness save an
approaching cow-bell or the the bleat-
ing Of feecy lambs as they settle
down in snowy groups on the adjoin,
ing hills. Farther away the white
chimneys Of 'Lindendale' peep out
above the masses of foliaged trees,
while now and then the splash of an
oar breaks upon the listening ear.
'Ahr says May, softly at last, look
ing away from the enchanting scene,
there seems to be another enjoying
this quite as much as myself
with a mischievous air she walks light
ly over the fallen leaves until she
stands Immediately by the distracted
figure. Without speaking she blind
folds the gentleman by placing both
hands over his eyes.
4 know who it is, he quickly
guesses, at the same time pulling her
gently to be seated beside him. Did
you imagine you could deceive me for
one moment, May? Why, l would
know the touch Of these two little
hands among ten thousand others, and
now for your audacity ! will compel
you to lose one whole hour here with
me among these rocks. That will be
punishment enough for blindfolding
me-
will, how very rough you are, in
terrupts May. in an offended tone. j
do believe you have long since con-
cluded that we are really brother and
sister, and consequently seem oblivi-
ous to the fact that some respect is
due to an undigni6ed lady like N.Y.
self
We have been as sister and broth
er for ten bright, brief years, replies
the hearer, in low. soft tone, forget
full of the recent reproach, and yet
would not care to believe that you did
} regard me simply as brother, for
might as well tell you now. May, al
: later on, that ! love you as something
: more than a sister-love you as some
men do loye-but once in a whole lif'
: time"
As the words fall slowly one by ont
from the truthful lips. deep shadow
overspreads the ever JOYOUS face o
5 the girl, while she sits powerless Il
move or speak. VIII Mansfield il tn,